Apparatus for de-capping and filling containers



April 5, 1966 R. F. ANDERSON 3,

APPARATUS FOR DE-CAPPING AND FILLING CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 27, 1963 4Sheets-Sheet 1 April 5, 1966 R. F. ANDERSON 3,243,935

APPARATUS FOR DE--CAPPING AND FILLING CONTAINERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledFeb. 27, 1963 April 5, 1966 R. F. ANDERSON APPARATUS FOR DE--CAPPING ANDFILLING CONTAINERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 27, 1965 April 966 R. F.ANDERSON 3,243,936

APPARATUS FOR DE--CAPPING AND FILLING CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 27 1965 4Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent C) 3,243,936 APPARATUS FORDE-CAPPING AND FILLING CONTAINERS Ralph F. Anderson, 332 Calvin ParkBlvd, Rockford, Ill. Filed Feb. 27, 1963, Ser. No. 261,302 13 Claims.(Cl. 53-381) This invention relates to apparatus for filling pro-formedcontainers and particularly to an apparatus for removing lids frompre-capped containers preparatory to filling the containers.

When pre-forrned cartons are used in packaging material, it is sometimesnecessary to take precautions against entrance of foreign material intothe pre-formed containers while the containers are stored and duringshipment of the pre-formed containers, to prevent contamination of thematerial when the containers are subsequently filled. In the so-callednesting type containers, the stacked containers effectively prevent theentrance of foreign material into the pro-formed containers. However, inthe non-nesting type container, it is a general practice to apply lidsto the containers to close the empty containers during storage andtransportation of the same to the place where the containers are filled.The present invention is directed to an apparatus'for removing theclosure lids from the containers to enable filling of the containers andsubsequent reclosing of the containers by the application of the lidsthereto.

An important object of this invention is to provide an improvedapparatus for rapidly and positively removing lids from pre-cappedcontainers, preparatory to filling and subsequent re-capping of thecontainers.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for removingthe lids from pre-capped containers, and which avoids damage to thecontainers and lids during separation of the same. I

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for removinglids from pro-capped containers, and which is adapted for use with roundtype containers and lids.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a combined fillingand tie-capping machine in which the decapping apparatus is arranged toremove the lid from the pre-capped container and feed the 'de-cappedcontainer to the filling machine at a level below the filling nozzle,and the filling machine is arranged to then elevate the container intofilling position.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus forremoving lids from pre-capped containers preparatory to filling thesame, and which automatically effects de-capping of the containers at arate corresponding to the rate at which the containers are filled.

These, together with other objects and advantages of this invention willbe more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood byreference to the following detailed description when taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG, 1 is a side elevational view of a filling machine havin thede-capping apparatus of the present invention applied thereto;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the filling machine andde-capping apparatus, with parts removed to illustrate details ofconstruction;

PEG. 3 is an end elevational view of the de-capping apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the tie-capping apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the de-cappingapparatus;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are vertical sectional views taken on the 3,243,936Patented Apr. 5, 1966 plane 66 of FIG. 5 and illustrating the de-cappingapparatus in different moved positions;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the lid supportmechanism on the de-capping apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the plane 9-9of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the plane10-10 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the de-capping apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view through a p:e-capped container; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view taken on the plane 13-13 of FIG. 11.

Referring generally to'FIG. 1, there is illustrated a machineforde-capping containers, filling the containers, and re-applying the capsor lids to the containers. In general, the apparatus includes inletconveyor means 21; a de-capping apparatus 22; a transfer conveyor means23 for feeding the de-capped containers to the filling machine; afilling apparatus 24 for filling the containers; an elevator mechanism25 for elevating the containers on the transfer conveyor to the fillingmechanism; an outlet conveyor 26 for moving the filled containers awayfrom the filling apparatus and to a capping station, and a capapplying'mechanism 27 for re-applying the caps or lids to the filledcontainers. A lid conveyor'28 is provided for transferring the lids fromthe decapping apparatus 22 to the capping station 27. Any suitable meansmay be usedfor the inlet conveyor means 21, the transfer conveyor means23 and the outlet conveyor means 26 and, in the embodiment shown, theyare all of the endless type.

The de capping apparatus 22 is particularly designed for handling roundcontainers 30 of the type shown in FIG. 12. In general, the containersinclude a generally cylindrical side wall '31 and a bottom closure disk32 which is attached-t0 the lower end of the side wall, as by 2. rolledrim 33 on the side wall. The containers are preferably formed with areinforcing bead or rim 34 at their upper end. In order to prevent theentrance of foreign material into the pro-formed containers, a lid 35 isapplied to the pre-formed containers to close the same during shipmentand storage. As shown, the lids include a mouth spanning disk 36 and aflange 37 on the periphery of the mouth spanning disk, and which flangeis arranged to telescopically engage the upper end of the containersidewall. The mouth spanning disks 36 are generally formed separate fromthe flange 37 and are retained in position on the flange by a rolled rim38 or the like. While the rim does prevent upward movement of the mouthspanning disk relative to the flange, it is possible to dislodge thedisk from the flange when a downward pressure is applied to the disk. Itis accordingly necessary to take precautions during re-capping of thecontainer, to prevent the dislodgement of the mouth spanning disk fromthe flange on the lid, due to the differences in air pressure betweenthe inside and outside of the container produced in response toseparation of the lid from the container.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the de-capping apparatus is supportedon'a base frame including spaced side members 41 and a cover plate 42which overlies the side members. A support post 43 is attached to thebase frame and extends upwardly therefrom. The inlet conveyor 21 has adrive drum 44 which is conveniently rotatably supported in a bearing 45on the support post at a level above the base frame, and the inletconveyor is driven in a manner described more specifically hereinafter.The inlet conveyor also includes a tray 46 and a plurality of belts 47which are entrained over the drive roller and overlies the tray toengage the underside of the prewith the side of the container to depressthe same. This provides an air space between the container and lid toallow air to enter the container. An air jet is advantageously providedfor moving the separated lid from the de-capping station to a positionon the support plate 55 overlying the nozzle. For this purpose, thefinger 98 is in the form of an air nozzle and is connected through atube 166 to an air supply source. As best shown in FIG. 13, the finger98 is conveniently formed of a tube that is flattened to an oval shapeat one end. The end is closed by a plug or solder 98a and a jet orifice93b is drilled through the plug at an angle toward the lead edge of thecap to direct a jet of air against the inside of the cap adjacent thelead side thereof for advancing the cap to the support plate 55. Inaddition, the air jet from the nozzle 98b positively injects air intothe container during separation of the cap therefrom to prevent forminga partial vacuum in the container. As is apparent, the air supply to thefinger 98 can be either continuous, or intermittently operated in timedrelation with the movement of the finger, in the manner describedhereinafter.

The transfer conveyor 23 is positioned below the inlet conveyor 21 adistance at least equal to the height of the containers. As shown inFIG. 1, the transfer conveyor includes a drive drum 111 which is mountedon a bracket 112 attached to the base frame 41, and an idler drum 113mounted by a bearing bracket 114 on thepost 43. Conveyor belts 115 areentrained over the drive drum 111 and the idler drum 113, and guiderails 116 are provided adjacent opposite sides of the conveyor forguiding the containers therealong. The inlet conveyor 21 and transferconveyor 23 are conveniently driven from a common drive. As best shownin FIG. 1, the drive includes the motor and gear reducer unit 116 havingan output shaft 117. A sprocket 113 on the output shaft is connectedthrough a chain 119 to a sprocket 121 on a cross shaft 122 attached tothe base frame 41. The cross shaft 122 is connected through a chain 123to the drive drum 111 of the transfer conveyor 23 and is also connectedthrough a chain 124 to a shaft 125, and which shaft is connected to achain 126 to the inlet conveyor drive drum 44 (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

The tie-capping apparatus of the present invention can be used inconjunction with various different filling machines. However, it isadvantageously employed in connection with a filling machine of the typegenerally shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and which employs an elevator 25 forraising the empty container to the filling station. In general, thefilling machine includes a main frame 131 having support legs 132 and asub-frame 133. A filler nozzle 134 is mounted on a post 135 attached tothe main frame, and the filler nozzle has a fitting 136 adapted forconnection to the source of material being dispensed. The elevator 25includes a container engaging platform 13S positioned below the nozzleand attached to a slide mechanism 139 which is elevated and lowered asby a fluid cylinder and piston 140, 141. The container engaging platform138 is normally positioned as shown in FIG. 1 adjacent the level of thetransfer conveyor 23, and the platform is operative to elevate thecontainer from the transfer platform upwardly to a filling position asshown in dotted lines in FIG. 1. In the embodiment shown, containerengaging fingers 144 are mounted on the nozzle and are yieldably urgedas by a spring 145 to a position engaging and holding the container inits filling position around the nozzle. A container support is alsoprovided at the filling stations and includes a frame 147 supported on aslide 148 for vertical sliding movement, and which frame has laterallymovable container support members 149 pivotally mounted thereon as bypins 151. The support members 149 have support ledges 152 thereonarranged to underlie the lower end of the carton to support the same,and, advantageously, the support members are interconnected by links'153and a bell crank 154 which is pivotally mounted at 155 on the bracket147, to assure equal and opposite movement of the support members. Thesupport members are swingable outwardly as the container is elevated andthen move inwardly into underlying relation with the container tosupport the same and, conveniently, the support members are cam operatedout of path of the container being raised by the elevator 25, as by acam member 150 attached to the elevator and which engages a finger 156aon one of the support members 149. The support members 149 support thecontainer during filling and move downwardly as the container is filled.Downward movement of the container and support is yieldably opposed asby a lever 156 having a roller 157 at one end which engages the slide148. The lever is pivotally mounted at 158 intermediate its ends and hasa counterweight 159 at the other end to counterbalance the weight of theslide 148; the bracket 147; the support members 149 andthe empty cartoncarried thereby. When the container is filled, the outlet conveyor 26 isoperated to move the filled container away from the filling station andto the capping apparatus 27.

The outlet conveyor 26 is intermittently operated to move the filledcontainers away from the filling station, and for this purpose, there isprovided a one-revolution clutch 161 which is driven from a drive motor162 and which is connected through gearing 163 to the conveyor drivesprocket 164 for the outlet conveyor 26. The clutch 161 has anelectro-responsive actuator 165 which is operated under the control ofswitches 166 and 167. The switch 166 is arranged to be operated by afinger 169 carried by the vertical movable container support slide 148,to operate the clutch when the container moves downwardly to a leveladjacent the lower end of the nozzle. Switch 167 is connected in serieswith switch 166 as by a conductor 168 and is arranged to be closed as byan arm 184 on the elevator slide mechanism 139, only when the elevatoris in its lower position, to prevent indexing of the outlet conveyorbefore the elevator has returned to its lower position. The switches 166and 167 are connected to the clutch actuator 165 and to a source ofpower, by conductors 179, 171 and 172. When the clutch is operated, itindexes the conveyor and moves the filled container away from thefilling station. The elevator 25 is then operated to raise a succeedingcontainer into filling position. As shown, the fiuid operator 140 forthe elevator is operated by a flow reversing valve 173 having lines 174and 175 connected to opposite ends of the cylinder 140. The valve 173 isconveniently of the air actuated type and has a first valve actuator 176connected through a tube 177 to an air bleed valve 178, which valve isoperated by a cam 179 on the output shaft of the one-revolution clutchto move the valve 173 to a position to elevate the elevator 25 after thefilled container has been moved away from the nozzle. A second valveactuator 181 is also provided on the valve 1'73 and connected through atube 182 to an air bleed valve 183. This valve is operated by the arm184 on the elevator mechanism when the latter reaches its raisedposition, to thereby move the valve 173 to a position to effect loweringof the elevator.

The output shaft of the one-revolution clutch is also connected througha shaft 136 to the drive shaft 85 for driving the lid removing rolls.The latter are thus operated in timed relation with the filling machineto separate a container from its lid each time the filling machine isoperated. A valve 133 is operated by a cam 189 on the output shaft ofthe one-revolution clutch, and which valve is arranged to control thesupply of air to a tube 19% leading the air nozzle 71 and to the nozzleof the container depressing finger 98. Operation of the valve 188 istimed to supply air to the lid transfer air nozzle 71 and to the airnozzle on the container depressing finger 98 at the time that the finger98 is moved into engagement with the side of the container, to therebyblow a tainer on the intermediate, conveyor 23. V 'vances the containerto the elevator belowthe filling nozzle and the elevator is operatedafter the filled container has been moved away from the nozzle toelevate previously removed lid up the chute '68 and to introduce airinto the container at the de-capping station.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the capping apparatus isoperated in timed relation with the operation of the filling machine toseparate a container from its lid, each time a container is filled bythe filling machine. The de-capping apparatus operates to draw thecontainer downwardly away from its lid, to positively separate thecontainer from its lid, and to deposit the con- 'The latter adthesucceeding container ,into filling position.

. As will be seen, the de-capping rolls 73 and 74 engage the sides ofthe container to positively separate the container from its lid and thedepressing finger 98 depresses '8 flange and support the lid againstdownward movement, lid support fingers mounted at opposite sides of thepath of movement of the pre-capped containers as the latter are advancedto the capping station for movement into the side engaged by said lip,andv means yieldablyurging and out of engagement with the lid at theside opposite said fingers into their lid engaging position. i a I;

4. The combination of claim 3.wherein said lid support fingers have alid support'portion disposed adjacent the side of the container adjacentthe underside of the lid' to allow air to enter the container. Thisprevents separation of the mouth spanning 'dislrfrom the flange on thelid. The air jet 98b is directed against the underside of the separatedlid adjacent its lead edge and advances the lid to the platform 55 overthe nozzle 71.. The latter thanizpushes the lid u'p the chute 6S andover to the capping station 27.

Iclaim: r r

1. 'An apparatus for removing flanged lids from precontainer downwardlyto separate the container from the lid, and means operative in timedrelation with said capped annular containers preparatory to' filling ofthe containers in an upright position along a generally horizontalpathrto a de-capping station, means at the de-capping station engageablewith the flanged lid onthe container for supporting the same againstdownward -movecontainers comprising, means for advancing the pre-cappedI 7 last mentioned means for pressing atleast one side of the containerinwardly in the region adjacent the lid to allow air to enter thecontainer during separation of the,con-' tainer from the lid. v p v w 6.The combination of claim 5 wherein said last mentioned means includesmeans for directing a streamlof air into the containento aidinintroducing air into the containeriduring withdrawal of the containerfrom the lid.

ment, laterally spaced generally horizontal rolls p osito one end of therespective-roll to allow a container to advance along said path to aposition between said rolls.

2. An apparatus tainers comprising, inlet conveyor means for advancingcontainers along a generally horizontal path to a dofor removing flangedlids from precapped annular containers preparatory to filling the con- 5capping station, a lid support atthe de-capping station in eluding a lipshaped to extend part way around the .container tolocate'the containerat the'de-capping station and positioned adjacent the level of theunderside of the lid flange as the pre-capped container is advanced tothe de-capping station to engage the underside of the lid flange andsupport the lid against downward movement, lid support fingers mountedfor movement into and out of engagement with the lid at the side of thelid opposite the side engaged by said lip, and means engageable with thecontainer at the de-capping station for drawing the container downwardlyto separate the container from its lid.

3. An apparatus for removing flanged lids from precapped annularcontainers preparatory tofilling the containe rs comprising, inletconveyor means for advancing containers along a generallyhorizontalrpath" to a decapping station, a lid support at theale-capping station including a lip shaped to extend part wayaround thecon tainer to locate the container at the tie-capping station andpositioned adjacent the level of the underside of the lid flange as thepre-capped container is advanced to the tie-capping station to engagethe underside of the lid 7. An apparatus for removing lids frompre-capped containers preparatory to filling of the containerscomprising, means for advancing pro-capped containersto a de cappingstation, means at the de-capping station engageable with the lid on the,container for supporting the lid against downward movement, spaced rollsat the decapping station engageable with the container for drawing thecontainer downwardly to separate the container from the lid, means fordriving said rolls, and means operative in timed relation with saidrolls for'pressingat least one side of the container inwardly in theregion adjacent the lid to allow air to enter the container duringseparation of the container'from'the lid. i

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said last men- 4 V tioned meansincludes a finger mounted for movement intoand out of engagement withthe side of the container 9. The combination of claim 8 wherein saidfinger comprises an upwardly directed nozzle for directing'a V stream ofair upwardly alongside the container to aid in filling the containerwith air during separation of the container from the lid.

10. An apparatus for removing lids fiom-pre-ca'pped containerspreparatory to filling of the containers comprising, means for'advancingpre-capped containers to a de-capping station, means at the de-cappingstation engageable with the lid on the container for supporting the lidagainst downward movement, spaced rolls at the decapping stationengageable' with the 'containerffor draw ing the container downwardly toseparate the container from the lid, means for driving saidrolls, andcontainer support means mounted on at-least one of the rolls to underlieand support the container at the de-capping station, said containersupport means being movable with the rolls outwardly from underlyingrelation with the container to allow the container to move downwardlywhen the rolls are rotated.

11. In combination with a filling machine including a filling nozzle, anapparatus for removing lids from precapped containers and for feedingthe de-capped containers to the filling nozzle, saidapparatus'comprising, inlet conveyor means for advancing pre-cappedcontainers to a mile-capping station, means at the de-capping stationengageable with the lid on the pre-capped container for supporting thelid against downward movement, clecapping means at the de-cappingstation engageable with the container for drawing the containerdownwardly to separate the container from the lid, transfer conveyormeans spaced below said inlet conveyor means a distance at least equalto the height of a container for moving the de-capped containers to aposition spaced below the filling nozzle, and elevator means forelevating a container from the level of said transfer conveyor meansinto filling position below the filler nozzle.

12. The combination of claim 11 including outlet conveyor means disposedat a level above said transfer conveyor means for moving filledcontainers away from the filling nozzle.

13. In combination with a filling machine including a filling nozzle, anapparatus for removing lids from precapped containers and for feedingthe de-capped containers to the filling nozzle, said apparatuscomprising, inlet conveyor means for advancing pre-capped containers toa tie-capping station, means at the de-capping station engageable withthe lid on the pre-capped container for supporting the lid againstdownward movement, de-

iii capping means at the de-capping station engageable with thecontainer for drawing the container downwardly to separate the containerfrom the lid, transfer conveyor means spaced below said inlet conveyormeans a distance at least equal to the height of a container for movingthe de-capped containers to a position spaced below the filling nozzle,elevator means for elevating a container from the level of the transferconveyor means into filling position below the filler nozzle, outletconveyor means disposed at a level above said transfer conveyor meansfor moving filled containers away from the filling nozzle, meansoperative in response to filling of a container for operating saidoutlet conveyor means to move a filled container away from the fillingnozzle and for operating said elevator means to raise an empty containerinto filling position, and means for operating said dc-capping means.

References Qited hy the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 774,378 11/1904Carter 53--38l X 2,828,593 5/1958 Colgren et al. 2,931,147 5/1960Barnby.

TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner.

1. AN APPARATUS FOR REMOVING FLANGED LIDS FROM PRECAPPED ANNULAR CONTAINERS PREPARATORY TO FILLING OF THE CONTAINERS COMPRISING, MEANS FOR ADVANCING THE PRE-CAPPED CONTAINERS IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION ALONG A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL PATH TO A DE-CAPPING STATION, MEANS AT THE DE-CAPPING STATION ENGAGEABLE WITH THE FLANGED LID ON THE CONTAINER FOR SUPPORTING THE SAME AGAINST DOWNWARD MOVEMENT, LATERALLY SPACED GENERALLY HORIZONTAL ROLLS POSITIONED AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID PATH AT THE DE-CAPPING STATION AND ENGAGEABLE WITH THE SIDES OF THE CONTAINER, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID ROLLS FROM AN INITIAL POSITION AND IN RELATIVELY OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS THROUGH ONE REVOLUTION AND BACK TO SAID INITIAL POSITION TO DRAW A CONTAINER DOWNWARDLY AND SEPARATE THE CONTAINER FROM ITS LID, SAID ROLLS HAVING CONCAVE PERIPHERIES TO EXTEND PART WAY AROUND A CONTAINER TO LOCATE THE SAME AT THE DE-CAPPING STATION, SAID ROLLS HAVING A PORTION OF THEIR CONCAVE PERIPHERIES AT THE SIDES WHICH ARE ADJACENT IN SAID INITIAL POSITION CUT AWAY FROM THE BASE OF THE CONCAVE PERIPHERY TO ONE END OF THE RESPECTIVE ROLL TO ALLOW A CONTAINER TO ADVANCE ALONG SAID PATH TO A POSITION BETWEEN SAID ROLLS. 